How Tough is Carbon Fiber, Really?
We’ve talked about the GMC CarbonPro truck bed — and how it can shrug off water-filled steel drums and a running, studded-track snowmobile revved at full throttle. At the same time, you’ve probably seen carbon fiber race car pieces crunch and shatter during a crash. What’s the deal with carbon fiber’s durability?
Simply put, carbon fiber materials are not created equal. Here’s a look at why ultra-lightweight carbon fiber racecars shatter — and why the GMC CarbonPro truck bed can laugh off a truckload of cinder blocks.
Get a GMC: New 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 trucks
Thermosetting vs. thermoplastic
Most carbon fiber parts on racing cars are produced through thermosetting — which is a fancy way of saying these parts are baked in an oven. The heat hardens the plastic, and once it’s hardened, it can’t be melted again. While these, lightweight, rigid pieces are perfect for hoods and roofs, they’re too brittle to use for a truck bed.
On the other hand, the GMC CarbonPro truck bed is thermoplastic. That means it can heated up and re-molded repeatedly, without losing performance — kind of like wax. Don’t worry, though — you’d have to heat the truck bed above 572 degrees to even soften it. GMC engineers thoroughly tested it in conditions ranging from minus 30 degrees out on the Alaskan tundra to 176 degrees in the in sun-baked Arizona desert.
Woven vs. layered
You’ll find woven carbon fiber cloth on some performance cars. While it’s pretty, it tends to break along the lines of the weave. The CarbonPro truck bed doesn’t have this issue.
The material used for the CarbonPro truck bed isn’t woven — it’s layered. This material is made by mixing ultra-durable plastic and 1-inch strands of carbon fiber, allowing the fibers to layer in a dense, random pattern, and reinforce one another. That reinforced layering makes it much tougher to break.
Plan Your Getaway: Fun activities in Memphis
Source: Digital Trends
The News Wheel is a digital auto magazine providing readers with a fresh perspective on the latest car news. We’re located in the heart of America (Dayton, Ohio) and our goal is to deliver an entertaining and informative perspective on what’s trending in the automotive world. See more articles from The News Wheel.